Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-24 JDAJoint Development Authority Monday, April 1, 2024 Arden Hills City Council Chambers Minutes 5:30 pm Roll Call Joint Development Authority: Commissioner Nicole Frethem, Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Commissioner Tom Fabel, Commissioner Tena Monson Members absent: Chair Jon Wicklund Also present: Dave Perrault (Arden Hills); Jessica Jagoe (Arden Hills); Ella Mitchell (Ramsey County) Roll call taken. Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Reinhardt seconded by Commissioner Fabel to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Monson seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt to approve the February 5, 2024 JDA meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried. Public Input None. Consent Agenda None. Old Business None. Public Hearings None. New Business a. Update on Communications Ms. Mitchell stated Goff Public worked with Ramsey County to prepare messaging for the Rice Creek Commons public infrastructure development and design request for proposals (RFP). Messaging tools included talking points, website copy and a reactive media statement. There have been no media inquiries or coverage regarding the infrastructure RFP to date. Student journalists with the Mounds View High School student newspaper, The Viewer, wrote an article about the Outlot A purchase and sale agreement and history of Rice Creek Commons in late February: TCAAP land development changes. Goff Public worked with Ramsey County and Arden Hills to coordinate information, clarifications and an interview with Councilmember Monson. Goff Public also worked with Ramsey County and Arden Hills on edits to the Joint Development Authority annual report. One person submitted an inquiry through the microsite contact portal regarding parks and trails, which Ramsey County staff responded to directly. Commissioner Fabel stated he was having trouble with his audio. Acting Chair Frethem called a short recess in order to allow staff to address the audio concerns. Acting Chair Frethem reconvened the JDA meeting at 5:35 p.m. b. Update from the State Legislative Session Ms. Mitchell stated according to the legislative schedule, 2024 is traditionally a bonding year. Speaker Hortman has been consistent with her messaging—the only thing left she wants to accomplish this year is passing a bonding bill. Some speculate that there won’t be a bonding bill and they don’t have the necessary Republican votes to pass a bonding bill as they need a supermajority. Others remain hopeful that they will pass a bonding bill—Senate Capitol Investment chair Senator Pappas (Saint Paul) has certainly expressed a desire to pass one. Going into an election year, conventional wisdom would say most legislators should be motivated to pass the bill so they can talk about projects they’ve been able to deliver on. Ms. Mitchell explained on the House side, HF3510 was introduced on 2/12/24, with Representative Moller as the chief author and Ramsey / Anoka County area Representatives Hussein, Curran, Fischer, Norris, Feist, Kraft, Newton who have signed on as co-authors. On the Senate side, SF3990 as introduced on 2/20/24, with Senator Marty as the chief author and Senators Xiong, Gustafson, and Oumou Verbeten as co-authors. Ms. Mitchell reported Ramsey County commissioners and Government Relations staff have been consistent with all legislators, our Ramsey County delegation, and the Governor’s office that bonding for Rice Creek Commons is our number one issue and we need the full $25 million. Rice Creek Commons has been popular with members and everyone seems to understand the need for investment in this project and that the timing is right. We have been collecting letters of support for the project. Ms. Mitchell stated while the House and Senate Capital Investment committees have been meeting, they have not been hearing individual bills. They have been taking presentations from the various agencies, essentially the Governor’s recommendations which did not contain any local projects. They have also spent committee time taking up lots of technical and clarifying changes related to the 2023 bonding/cash bills. The general thought this year is that if you received a tour stop on the bonding tours, which Rice Creek Commons did on both the Senate and House side, then you do not get a bill hearing. We do not expect a hearing in either body, which again is expected. It makes the need for individual conversations all the more important. Commissioner Reinhardt thanked Commissioner Frethem for her incredible advocacy work. Commissioner Frethem discussed how she has been working to gain letters of support for this new development. Commissioner Monson commented on how she has been working to build support for the project and why now was a good time to offer bonding for Rice Creek Commons. She hoped to gain additional letters of support for this project. c. Update from Energy Advisory Committee Ms. Mitchell provided the JDA with an update from the Energy Advisory Committee. She explained she has been working with green energy consultants. She noted LHB and Ever-Green Energy were part of the green energy team. She stated analysis was being completed on how much energy will be needed to meet the demands on the site. She indicated the Energy Advisory Committee would be meeting next on May 2 where sustainable building design guidelines would be discussed. She stated on Friday she met with Ryan Companies, LHB and Ever-Green Energy to discuss the green energy scope for Outlot A. She indicated the US Green Building Council reached out to Alatus regarding Rice Creek Commons. She reported LHB would be hosting a meeting with Alatus and US Green Building Council to discuss the LEED options for the site. Commissioner Monson explained the Energy Advisory Committee would be coming back to the JDA with clear goals for the project. She stated the implementation of the vision for the project would then have to be considered. She discussed how Xcel Energy was pursuing a goal to have the gas side of their business be net zero and how they wanted to pursue a geothermal facility. She reported she spoke with them and would continue to work with them to understand the full scope of their project. She indicated this would be a $10 million geothermal pilot project opportunity that the Energy Advisory Committee would continue to pursue. d. Update from Development Agreement Discussions Director Perrault provided the JDA with an update on the development agreement. He explained representatives from the County, City and Alatus have been meeting to discuss how to get closer to a development agreement. He stated the majority of the discussions revolve around how to fund the horizontal infrastructure, which includes the spine road, utilities under the spine road, the natural resources corridor and the relocation of remediation infrastructure. He stated mass grading and soil corrections have also been discussed and the financing has yet to be determined. He noted the parties have exchanged multiple iterations of the financial projections, but a gap in the horizontal infrastructure still exists. It was estimated the horizontal infrastructure would cost somewhere between $86 and $100 million. The parties would continue to work on how to fund the infrastructure. He noted the County has pursued $25 million in State funding. He noted the parties have been focused on the horizontal infrastructure and have not yet discussed the term sheet. Director Perrault reported the Met Council has approved the comprehensive plan request to increase the density of the project to 1,960 units. He indicated the energy committee would continue to work with consultants on sustainability efforts. Commissioner Fabel questioned if any Federal funds had been secured for this project. Acting Chair Frethem stated she would address this matter under Commissioner Updates. e. Review Road Map Ms. Mitchell reviewed the Road Map with the JDA. Acting Chair Frethem suggested a green energy worksession be held by the JDA this summer and that community engagement be held to discuss green energy and sustainability efforts. Administrative Director’s Report Ms. Mitchell stated there has been some movement on Outlot A. She explained a conversation was held between Ryan Companies, DEED and Greater MSP. She reported Ryan Companies seems to be very excited about potential end users, but nothing concrete has been shared with County staff. Ms. Mitchell indicated the County public infrastructure RFP for the final design of the spine road was released on March 14. She stated an in person conference was held on March 22 and there were eight firms in attendance. She noted proposals are due April 18 with interviews to be held the week of May 13. She anticipated the contract would start on July 1. Development Director’s Report Director Perrault stated he had nothing to report at this time. Commissioner Updates Commissioner Reinhardt stated the County and its staff was working to make it clear the development agreement was the top priority at this time. She explained she was feeling very optimistic. Commissioner Fabel stated he was encouraged by the County’s optimism, especially after hearing about the horizontal infrastructure funding gap. He anticipated the gap would remain, even if the County receives $25 million in State funding. He indicated this was a concern to him. It was his hope the County could find ways to fill the remainder of the gap in order to move this project forward before the end of the year. Acting Chair Frethem stated she attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) Conference in Washington DC with Commissioner Reinhardt. She explained there was a federal session where she spoke to different agencies regarding potential funding streams for this project. She indicated she was also able to secure a meeting with Senior White House Advisor Tom Perez where federal support for Rice Creek Commons was discussed. She stated he was very excited about the project and was invited to visit the site. She indicated she also met with Senate staff for Senator Smith and Senator Klobuchar as well as staff members for Representative McCollum. She commented on how there was a need to identify grant opportunities and all congressional staff were willing and interested in helping in these efforts. She understood there was a funding gap and noted there were different tools that could be used to move this project along. She discussed how the County would continue to pursue funding sources and thanked Ehlers for being a great consultant. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 6:17 pm. Approved _____________________________________ _______________________ Nicole Frethem, Acting Chair Date 10/4/24